Forte dos Reis Magos

Star-shaped Forte de Reis Magos (Three Wise Men Fort) predates the founding of Natal by nearly two years. The Portuguese began building the fort on January 6, 1598, the same day they celebrated Epiphany, hence the name and shape of the fort.

Natal, named after the Portuguese word for ‘Christmas’, was founded 23 months later on December 25, 1599.

Religious considerations aside, the decision to build the fort at the mouth of the Potengi River was purely a strategic one. Located on a sand bar that is covered at high-tide and positioned at Brazil’s easternmost point, Forte de Reis Magos was ideally placed to defend the continent from European and African advances.

The whitewashed and turreted fort walls were built to last and inside you’ll find a chapel, a well, cannons and soldiers' quarters. If you don’t come for the history, come for the views – its prime location at the tip of the peninsula affords fantastic vistas across the city to the south and the surrounding sand dunes.

Practical Info

Forte de Reis Magos is north of Natal city, at the mouth of the Rio Potengi and at the very tip of the peninsula.